Entertainment

Hicks: Richie Sambora kicked out of Bon Jovi

By Tony Hicks

Contra Costa Times

Posted:
08/23/2013 12:55:50 PM PDT

Updated:
08/23/2013 12:56:49 PM PDT

Richie Sambora has been fired from Bon Jovi.

The guitarist -- who has been Jon Bon Jovi's sidekick for 30 years -- departed the band's tour last spring over what he called a "personal matter." Rumors flew that the pair weren't seeing eye-to-eye on money issues. He was replaced on stage, and the band continued touring without him.

According RumorFix.com, Sambora's departure is indeed about money. Sources said Sambora was making $2 million a month and 20 percent of the tour profits, whereas fill-in guitarist Philip "Phil X" Xenidis was earning about $10,000 a month. The website reported that, although Sambora will still collect songwriting royalties and merchandise profits, he's not happy about the split.

"Richie wants to go back onstage -- that's his first love," the source said. "He's really upset over the news."

Well ... yeah. Someone took his cash cow to the slaughterhouse.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 54-year-old guitar player has remained mostly quiet on what many thought was his temporary departure from the band. He has talked a bit about his most recent solo album, "Aftermath of the Lowdown." Earlier this month, the New Jersey native shared a new song, "Come Back as Me" that, contrary to what some believed, was not about Bon Jovi.

"This songs gettin' some traction, so I would sincerely appreciate any help. BTW this has nothin' to do with Jon...," he tweeted on Aug. 4.